These free B.Pharm notes on health belief models and illness behaviour cover chapter 21 of Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills, a first-semester subject. Read the key points below, then study the complete chapter PDF. You can browse every chapter in the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
Table of Contents
Read the following document for full information
Overview of health belief models and illness behaviour
This chapter explains why people adopt healthy behaviours or ignore them. It covers the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Transtheoretical Model and its stages of change, illness behaviour and the sick role, Leventhal’s Commonsense Model, and the effect of age, gender and culture.
Key points on health belief models and illness behaviour
- The Health Belief Model has perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and cues to action as its main parts.
- The Theory of Planned Behaviour says intention is the nearest cause of behaviour, shaped by attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.
- The Transtheoretical Model of Prochaska and DiClemente describes five stages of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance.
- Talcott Parsons described the sick role, with the rights of freedom from normal duties and care, and the obligations to want to get well and follow advice.
- Leventhal’s Commonsense Model has five parts of illness representation: identity, timeline, consequences, causes and controllability, and a mismatch with the doctor’s view causes non-adherence.
Relevance to pharmacy practice
Even the best treatment fails if the patient does not feel at risk or doubts the treatment. A pharmacist who understands these models can find the patient’s own beliefs and fit advice to his readiness, culture and social situation.
Every chapter in this subject builds on the one before it, so do not skip topics that look simple. Definitions, classifications and examples are the parts that examiners return to most often, and a clear understanding here will also make later subjects easier to follow in the coming semesters.
Frequently asked questions on health belief models and illness behaviour
What is the Health Belief Model?
The Health Belief Model was developed in the 1950s by Hochbaum, Rosenstock and Kegeles. It says a person acts when he feels at risk of a serious condition and sees more benefits than barriers.
What are the stages of change in the Transtheoretical Model?
The five stages are pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. Behaviour change is a process, so the intervention should fit the person’s stage of readiness.
What is the sick role?
The sick role, described by Talcott Parsons, is the position a person takes when he seeks professional help. He is free from normal duties but must want to get well and follow advice.
Quick revision checklist
Use this self-test after reading the chapter on health belief models and illness behaviour. If you can do all of the following without looking at your notes, you are ready for the exam.
- I can explain: the parts of the Health Belief Model
- I can explain: the Theory of Planned Behaviour
- I can explain: the five stages of change
- I can explain: illness behaviour and the sick role
- I can explain: Leventhal’s Commonsense Model of illness
Study and exam tips
Start by reading the chapter once for the overall idea, then revise health belief models and illness behaviour using headings, definitions, classifications and examples. Short-answer questions in the university exam usually ask for definitions, features, advantages, disadvantages and examples, so write these in your own words and practise drawing the tables and flow charts that the chapter has.
For wider reading, standard textbooks and open resources such as the NCBI Bookshelf help you confirm terms and see more examples. Revise health belief models and illness behaviour again a day later and again a week later, because spaced revision improves long-term memory.
This page is part of the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills series for first-semester B.Pharm students on B.Pharm Guru, where every chapter has a short summary and a full PDF. Bookmark this page and share it with classmates who are preparing for the same exam.
Related notes: 23. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE THEORIES (CBT, TTM) IN TREATMENT ADHERENCE, 24. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION.
Previous: 20. USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. Next: 22. PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSES AND THE MIND–BODY CONNECTION. Back to the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
